In this study, I aim to determine the effects of globalization on Middle Eastern society, particularly that of Iran. By globalization, I mean the expansion of influence via growing global economies, particularly that of the west, and its unique and very common interaction with the Middle East. Aside from economical expansion, I also include military, political and cultural expansion, or globalization, by that of western cultures and states onto Middle Eastern societies. Cultural expansion can be an effect of economic globalization, as well as military presence in or around a said area. International politics also play a role in affecting cultures, as politics are quite intertwined with economics and military action. Economically, globalization has caused the distribution of wealth to shift dramatically. This is due to many causes, but the oil industry in particular is the source of much of the changes in Middle Eastern society. Iran is no exception, with the oil industry casting a great shadow on the nation’s economy. Obviously, the oil industry also dominates the global economy, therefore bringing many different factors into the Middle East. The pursuit of a “competitive business environment”, international business and political pressures combined with internal and international cultural conflicts, military presence and international image all play huge roles in impacting society. I will be exploring these three variables: GDP, Effect(s) on culture, and rate of growth.
The question I seek to answer is not necessarily “why,” but “how?” By asking how globalization affects Iran and the Middle East, we can then determine why, and the larger impact on global society. What I seek to discover are the actual effects on Iran as a countr...
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...efore, economic expansion also brings about cultural expansion. Along with that come political issues, social issues, and certainly military conflicts, all of which continue to fan the flame of the already occurring globalization. In conclusion, is globalization a good thing for Iran? According to my research, time can only tell. In the recent past, it paints a negative picture. Perhaps Iran would be better off as a completely independent country, operating only within a very limited sphere of similar cultures and states. However, it is also proven that globalization is a good thing, and may even be a necessity for Iran. But that process produces many difficult clashes socially, culturally and politically. Therefore, time will only tell if continued globalization will see socio-political issues resolved and if Iran can see positive growth and embrace globalization.
Cooper, Charles A. and Sidney S. Alexander. Economic development and population growth in the Middle East. New York, 1971.
2012 “Has oil wealth been a blessing or a curse for the Middle East?”. Akerue.net. Ben West. Web. 27
The Middle Eastern has developed a lot of economic success with the authoritarianism government they’ve established. To some people, if they are economically stable, they’re willing to endure the hardships of being lead under a dictator. Countries like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are flourishing in the oil business, which keeps them wealthy and involved in international relations. To the citizens of the Middle East, this makes their country look powerful because even with the Western’s opposing ideologies, they’re still working with the Middle East. This is sending the wrong message because even though the western countries have to cooperate and show political support with the Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern countries. Situations like these give the citizens a positive outlook of how their country is being conducted and support their governme...
Unlike most Europeans countries, the United States of America enjoyed a rather healthy relationship with Middle East nations during the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Possibly, this was due to the fact that the US had little or no interest in colonizing countries in the region. On the contrary, it largely participated in philanthropic and educational activities therefore attracting positive perception among the Middle East people. However, after the world war II the situation begun to change. The US, after fully appreciating the strategic value of the region, opted to increase its interest there. Particular to ensure it does not lose control of the region’s natural resources (chiefly oil), protecting Israel (which was a newly established state and possibly are strategic America ally), and finally, prevent the Soviet Union from dominating the nation (Russel & Ghabra 2003).
By the end of the nineteenth century, the seemingly unstoppable rise of colonial power called for the modernization of Middle Eastern countries, particularly in Iran and Egypt. In their respective pursuits of building a modern nation-state, Reza Shah of Iran and Ataturk of Egypt, similarly implemented policies of political centralization, economic development, and secularization. Ultimately, modernization proved more viable in Turkey than in Reza Shah’s Iran due to the precedents characteristic of the Ottoman Empire inherited by Ataturk. Specifically, the endurance of successful westernization policies in Turkey, contrasted by their disintegration in Iran, can be equated to the different preexisting economic, social, and political conditions
The Islamic revolution in Iran came from discontent for westernization and secularization in Iran. It was the Iranian supporters of Khomeini rebelling against shah and his westernized approach and dictatorship of the country. The Iranian felt as if Iran’s leader the Shahan shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Aryamehr was too westernized and was contaminating Iran with modernization and also creating a separation of democracy and religion. Also, powerful and entrenched groups in Iran did not like how shah imposed his westernize reforms (Goldschmidt, 2013). They were also dissatisfied with the allowance of United States interference or influence to curb the groups they viewed as blocking Iran’s modernization. This included landlords, ulama and bazaar
The author exposes how the American and Arabs cultures met and interacted. It is clear that the Arab people did not comprehend the changes they would face. Furthermore, the Americans had to adapt but somehow still overcome religion and tradition. Consequently, the beginning of the oil era brought financial wealth but for the greater part brought painful changes to Arab societies. It is difficult to understand how oil wealth did not completely modernize the Middle East for a greater good. Instead we know about the real situation in both the novel and the real Arab culture and how oil money paired with retroactive empires, old religious beliefs and self-absorbed Western governments took over.
Maynes, Charles. "The Middle East in the Twenty-First Century." Middle East Journal 52.1 (1998): 9-16. JSTOR. Web. 6 June 2011.
Political uprisings in the Middle East, especially in Muslim nation states have placed Arabian politics back on the focus point of international politics. Political events in certain Arab countries had an excessive impact on the political development of other neighboring states. Resistances and anxieties within different Arab countries triggered unpredictable actions, sometimes sorely to observe and believe. The authoritarian governments of Arabian countries led from various dictators have created a precarious situation for their people, especially in providing national security and maintaining peace in the region. Jack Goldstone argues that the degree of a sultan’s weakness has been often only visible in retrospect; due in part to the nature of the military-security complex common across Middle East states (Goldstone 1). In addition, the existence of various statesmen with political affiliation is concerned in faithfulness of its armed forces. Usually, the armed national forces of several states, mainly those in Arab countries are loyal and closely affiliated to their leaders, which have a major role in state regimes. Arab uprisings in their early spreading appeared legally responsible and with concrete demands from representatives’ peoples, calling for a more open democratic system and reasonable governance. Even though, the system in which popular frustration with government imposes alters considerably from one state to another. These public revolts against different authoritative governments didn’t halt just in Arab states, but they sustained also in the Far East and in the Eastern Europe. Can we say that the popular uprisings in Arab countries could be attributed to the term of globalization? In fact, globalization is a multi...
Just imagine waking up in squalor, a once prominent society, now a desolate wasteland. All because foreign interest has raped your land of its natural resources and you seen not a cent in profit. Although, globalization is unifying the worlds developed nations and is bringing commerce to nations that have struggle in past years. True, globalization has many positive effects but do the pros outweigh the cons. In this essay I will discuss Globalization ruining the integrity of many countries and also is forcing many undeveloped nations into a bind, and is causing economic distress on some developed nations. Also, due to economic globalization the nations of the world are diluting their culture, sovereignty, natural resources, safety and political system. My goal is not to change your way of thought, but only to enlighten you of the negatives of global economic expansion.
Over the last couple of years, the world has become increasingly globalized. After the cold war, all parts of the world were attracted to the process of globalization. The effect of globalization is uneven in different parts of the world and globalization suggests a world full of persistent cultural interaction and exchange, contacts and connection, mixture and movement. Different people view globalization in different ways. Some people feel it has done more good than harm, while others believe it has done more harm than good. This essay will give a deep intuitive understanding of globalization, world systems, and how globalization has affected society, culture, economics, and politics.
I have mixed opinions about globalization as a whole. I think for the economies of most countries it can be beneficial as it will help develop non-developed countries. Globalization has the potential to make the world a better place to live and solve some very long standing problems like unemployment and poverty, which will have a positive impact in the future. Other than having one world government, which I think would have a negative impact in the future, I think globalization will have a positive impact in the future, if it will increase wealth, decrease poverty and allows cultures to blend without each country losing their own cultures.
...evelop. But the original impact of globalization is shows on culture in some particular aspects. So every place different from other place in terms of culture and habitats. So it is very important for every culture or ethnic group to adjust. In my views globalization is very beneficial as long as it is not harming the main culture activities.
Globalization has been a start of a new modernized era in history. The source states that as an individual you are given prosperity, stability, and also predictability, and also points out that it helps developing countries modernize and catch up with developed countries, and also reduce poverty since new businesses are formed allowing more employment in the country due to the subsidies that wealthier countries give to them. The person who wrote this source is a pro globalist, and has probably experienced the prosperity that was given to them because of the global trading system. His perspective on globalization suggests that globalization is the key to advancing technology, good relations between countries, and is beneficial event in history. One should embrace the global economy as it creates many roads to achieve your goals in your life, and also for the weaker countries that needs support, but to a degree that the government can intervene with the market.
Al-Rodhan, Nayef. Definitions of Globalization:A Comprehensive Overview and a Proposed Definition. Geopolitical Implications of Globalization and Transnational Security . Geneva: GCSP, 2006.